|

Wang Yangming's statue greets visitors to his former home in Shaoxing, Zhejiang province. [Photo provided to ezhejiang.gov.cn]

Shaoxing in East China's Zhejiang province hosted the 2024 Conference on Wang Yangming Mind Philosophy on Oct 31, marking his birthday by bringing together over 400 scholars and representatives from around the world.

As one of China's leading neo-Confucian philosophers, Wang Yangming (1472-1529) developed the "Mind Philosophy" that emphasizes understanding the world from within the mind. His famous doctrine of the "unity of knowing and acting" states that knowledge is the beginning of action, while action is the completion of knowledge.

Speakers at the conference emphasized the importance of Wang's philosophy in fostering cross-cultural dialogue. Wang's principles, they noted, serve as a "key" to breaking down barriers and promoting exchange between diverse cultures.

Since its inception in 2020, the conference has developed into a global platform for discussing Wang's philosophy, drawing scholars each year to explore how his ideas apply to contemporary issues.

The 2024 Conference on Wang Yangming Mind Philosophy opens in Shaoxing on Oct 31. [Photo provided to ezhejiang.gov.cn]

In tandem with these exchanges, Shaoxing has invested heavily in preserving Wang's legacy. With more than 10 billion yuan ($1.4 billion) allocated for restoration projects, the city has developed a network of locations significant to Wang's life and thought.

Shaoxing has embraced its role as the permanent host of this conference, using Wang's philosophy as both a cultural resource and a force for local development.

As the conference unfolds, Shaoxing's "Wang Yangming Cultural Month" has also launched, featuring a series of events, including a research competition for young scholars and a short video contest — "Encountering Yangming" — to bring his ideas to new audiences.